A tidal wave of goodwill has crashed over a group of foster parents who went public with their struggle for support after losing access to their donations 'store'.
Sometimes, foster children arrived almost without notice and without anything but the clothes on their back, one foster mother told WAtoday recently.
While carers do receive allowances, the Foster Carers Association of WA had a storage space for donated goods to see new parents through a crisis.
It also provided extras such as toys and books for children whose carers could only afford essentials, but who deserved the odd treat as much as any other child.
But the association lost access to the space and since then Fostering Hope has stored 'shop' stock in a member's living room.
In response to their story, more than 100 people contacted WAtoday offering help, among them some Perth groups operating largely off the grid to supply bigger charities with goods.
Little Things for Tiny Tots, which collects new and pre-loved baby items for 'New Baby Boxes' for distribution through recognised charities, offered its services.
So did The Nappy Collective, which collects unused disposable nappies and distributes them to families in crisis through recognised charities.
Hug Bags, a group of Perth Hills grandmothers who supply a bag of age-appropriate new clothes, toiletries, toys, book and school supplies to foster children entering the system, also got in touch.
Kununurra Knit & Natter asked what was needed so they could get knitting for needy babies straight away.
An op shop chain frequently forced to decline donations such as cots, prams and baths because of regulations also got in touch.
Perth business The Gentle Sleep Specialist has organised a major community 'playdate' event to collect more donations and help the group network in an effort to find a solution.
Parenting personality Maggie Dent even shared the news, bagging the tiny group more than 1800 new Facebook members.
This was all in addition to the scores of parents who simply emailed offering their quality cast-offs, surplus baby shower gifts, their time and any storage space they could muster, from their porch to their garage.
"People have offered their backyards," said the Fostering Hope organiser.
"It's been absolutely overwhelming – incredible.
"People could sell these beautiful things but instead they are giving it to these kids. It's just those little extras for these kids when there's not really the money in the budget for it."
But the donations are piling up and the issue of storage is now even more pressing as their garages are full and they are renting temporary storage.
Offers already made were deeply appreciated but unrealistic.
"We are not being fussy but we are still looking," she said.
We don't want to be in the way but to be self-contained and not have to have kids traipsing through someone's office to go to the toilet.
"We just need something the size of a double garage, with access to a toilet and some parking, that's easily accessible by the public."
WAtoday has contacted the foster association to find out more about the loss of the old space.
Email fosteringhopeperth@gmail.com if you can help.
The community playdate is on Sunday, October 30, from 10am-1pm at Tompkins Park, Applecross. Perth families are invited to come, BYO a picnic and enjoy free children's entertainment including bouncy castle, petting zoo and face painting. They should donate good quality children's clothes, shoes, books and toys, though limit this to a box each given the storage issue.
Those donating large items such as prams should also email Fostering Hope.
